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From Edward Bates to James L. McDowell
[page 1]
Attorney General's Office,
July 23d 1861.
J.L. McDowell Esq[.]
U.S. Marshal, Kansas
Sir,
Your letter of the 11th of July, recd[.] 19th (under the [frank?] of Senator Lane, of Kansas) asks advice upon the question whether or no you should give your official services in the execution of the Fugitive slave law.
It is the President's constitutional duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." That means all the laws. He had no right to discriminate-- no right to execute the laws he likes and leave unexecuted those he dislikes. And, of course, you & I, his subordinates, can have no wider latitude of discretion than he has.
Missouri is a state in the

This letter, dated July 23, 1861, was written by U.S. Attorney General Edward Bates to James L. McDowell, U.S. Marshal in Kansas. Bates replies to McDowell’s request for advice about enforcing the Fugitive Slave Law, declaring that no government official can choose to enforce the laws he likes and ignore those he dislikes. Bates adds that the recent “insurrectionary disorder” in Missouri does not alter its legal status as a member of the Union.

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From Edward Bates to James L. McDowell
[page 1]
Attorney General's Office,
July 23d 1861.
J.L. McDowell Esq[.]
U.S. Marshal, Kansas
Sir,
Your letter of the 11th of July, recd[.] 19th (under the [frank?] of Senator Lane, of Kansas) asks advice upon the question whether or no you should give your official services in the execution of the Fugitive slave law.
It is the President's constitutional duty to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed." That means all the laws. He had no right to discriminate-- no right to execute the laws he likes and leave unexecuted those he dislikes. And, of course, you & I, his subordinates, can have no wider latitude of discretion than he has.
Missouri is a state in the